TAXILA: The district administration on Saturday declared a flood emergency in Attock and people living near waterbed of River Indus were evacuated to safer places besides establishment of flood relief camps.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told newsmen that after issuance of flood warning by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and Pakistan Meteorological Department about high floods in river Indus and Kabul, the flood emergency was declared while special relief camps were established in tehsils Hazro, Jand and Pindigheb located along the Indus.

He said that 21 special relief camps were established across the district to accommodate the flood affected population, including nine in Hazro, four each in Attock and Pindigheb, three in Jand and one in Hassanabdal. He said that most camps were established in school buildings to accommodate the local population.

He said that announcements were made through mosques in the high flood areas asking people to shift to safer places or to camps along with their belongings and cattle. He said officials of the local administration and revenue department were also directed to carry out flood emergency activities.

District emergency officer Ali Hassnain said Rescue 1122 had established emergency response points where teams were deputed along with vehicles for carrying out rescue operations at four red alert locations along River Indus. He said that these points are at Sarag, Garylia, Attock Khurd and Dher villages. He said that two camels which were trapped in high flood in River Indus near Bagh Neelab were rescued and shifted to safer places.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2022